Diplomatic Scandal: How the European Union Foiled the Polisario Separatists’ Attempts at the Brussels Summit

ALDAR/

During the ministerial meeting between the European Union and the African Union held in Brussels, the Polisario separatists sought to exploit the event for their own benefit. Despite their efforts to use the occasion against Morocco, the European Union succeeded in thwarting all their schemes and reaffirming its unwavering stance.

The EU’s foreign affairs spokesperson announced that “the European Union and its member states do not recognize the so-called Sahrawi Republic,” emphasizing that the Union’s position on the issue is clear and firm. He added that any attempt to integrate the separatists into the summit was a failed effort and that this participation was not endorsed by the EU, which did not issue any invitation to the so-called entity.

Despite the Polisario’s attempts to make an appearance at this high-level event, the outcome of their presence was the opposite of what they had hoped. They were completely marginalized — no flag was raised on their behalf, and their representative received no official recognition. In fact, they were deliberately ignored, with their presence reduced to a handwritten sign on a plain white sheet, while official seating was reserved for African ministers.

From a diplomatic perspective, there was no interaction between the European Union and the separatists. Discussions were limited to a bilateral meeting with Algeria, reinforcing the view that the EU sees this group as a foreign-imported issue rather than a legitimate or recognized party.

In another symbolic scene, when the separatist representative briefly took the floor, the EU’s High Representative left the room in a clear and deliberate move — a strong diplomatic signal reflecting non-recognition of the separatist entity. This gesture served as a public declaration that the EU grants no legitimacy to the so-called republic.

The separatists’ hopes that their participation in the summit would provide a platform to promote their cause were ultimately dashed. They realized that the European Union remains firmly committed to Morocco’s autonomy initiative, which enjoys broad support among EU member states.

As a result, the separatists left the Brussels summit without achieving any political or diplomatic gain. They returned to square one, their attempts to assert themselves on the international stage having failed. Their presence amounted to nothing more than a “mirage” in diplomatic terms.